TORONTO, October 13, 2023 – Break the Spell, a son of Moyhamen-Breakshot, is set to go postward in the $125,000 Display Stakes, part of a Sunday Woodbine card that also features the $125,000 Glorious Song Stakes.

Trained by David Cotey, who co-owns with breeder Richard Forbush, Break the Spell heads into the seven-furlong Tapeta race for 2-year-olds off a winning debut on September 10 at Woodbine.

Under Skye Chernetz, the bay colt, sent off at 13-1, was fifth at the stretch call in the six-furlong main track maiden optional claiming race but got up late to eke out a neck win in a time of 1:11.23.

“He ran for $40,000, and he ran a very good race,” said Cotey. “Skye sat back with him and let him run the last part of it and we were lucky enough to get up in time to win it. He’s a very nice, intelligent horse, who does everything right.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Chernetz.

“He is a very smart horse, who has taken everything in stride.”

Break the Spell has worked steadily ahead of his first stakes engagement, including a pair of five-furlong breezes over the Woodbine Tapeta, 1:02.40 on October 1, and 1:00.80 on October 10.

Cotey, who is closing in on 350 career wins, is pleased with how his rookie is heading into his first stakes appearance.

“I wasn’t necessarily expecting to win that first race, but all his works, he did them very, very easily. We would work another horse here and Skye would always say they went really easy, but she had more horse than the other one. We never pushed him or asked him in his works. We were just hoping he’d make a run and show us a little something in that first race, which he certainly did.”

The multiple graded stakes-winning conditioner is hoping Break the Spell can conjure up another strong performance on Sunday.

“We never pushed him too hard ahead of his first race, he just sort of went out there and did it himself, with a patient ride from Skye. He should like the added distance, so we’ll have to see. If he improves at all, he should be competitive. He’ll sit back and come running.”

The veteran trainer has high praise for the colt’s winning personality.

“He’s a sweetheart, not like me,” quipped Cotey. “He’s very nice. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s very intelligent and everyone likes him. He’s nice to saddle and calm in post parade.” ​

Sandra Dominguez handles groom duties for Break the Spell.

Also on Sunday, rookie fillies will tackle seven furlongs on the Tapeta in the $125,000 Glorious Song Stakes. The field includes Uphill Dance, undefeated in two starts, Presque Isle Debutante Stakes winner Rosa (cross-entered in the Display), and She’s Fire, winner of the Fitz Dixon, Jr. Memorial Juvenile Stakes.

First post is at 1:15 p.m. Fans can watch and wager on all the action through HPIbet.com, bet365, and the Dark Horse Bets app.

Field for the Display

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer

1 – Break the Spell – Skye Chernetz – David Cotey

2 – Magic Slips (S) – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse

3 – Bankingonamiracle – Leo Salles – Krista Cole-Simpson

4 – King of the Track – Rafael Hernandez – Mark Casse

5 – Rosa – Kazushi Kimura – Kevin Attard

6 – Gotts Got It – Erin Walker – Ron Potts

7 – Bolt Enoree – Justin Stein – Kevin Attard

8 – Tripolina – Kazushi Kimura – Kevin Attard

9 – Two Ghosts – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Barbara Minshall

10 – Western Whirl – Ryan Munger – Stuart Simon

Field for the Glorious Song

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer

1 – Rosa – Kazushi Kimura – Kevin Attard

2 – Tripolina – Kazushi Kimura – Kevin Attard

3 – She’s Fire – Sahin Civaci – Kevin Rice

4 – Zo Lee – Adam Beschizza – Kelsey Danner

5 – Uphill Dance – Justin Stein – Rachel Halden

6 – Mystic Lake – Tyler Conner – Saffie Joseph, Jr.

7 – A Little Frisky – Ryan Munger – Josie Carroll

8 – Witwatersrand – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse

9 – Bolt Enoree – Rafel Hernandez – Kevin Attard

Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms

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